DESPITE LOSS, WOLVES ARE PLAYOFF-BOUND!

Thunder Bay, ON- Fresh off a 9-2 loss at home to the Karlstad Killers, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves learned that they were guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.

>>>It was actually a 2-1 loss by the Havana Moon to the Hawaii Sandblasters that led to this first in Timberwolves history. Havana holds the 17th slot in the rankings (top-16 make playoffs) and their loss meant that Thunder Bay wouldn't mathematically fall past the 16th spot no matter if they lost the rest of the season.

>>>The news was met with excitement and the reality of the opportunity with the Timberwolves players, coaches and management.

>>>"This was one of our goals at the start of training camp in September," said general manager, Blake Wendt. "There is still alot to work on as a hockey club before then. We can't and won't pack it in for the remainder of the season. But we know we've got a post-season, and that is exciting."

>>>"It stung to lose the way we did to Karlstad," said rookie, T.J. Oshie (pictured). "And I don't think any of the guys thought for a second that we'd lose a game and be rewarded with the news of clinching a playoff spot all in the same day. No matter who we end of playing then, we'll be ready. We have to be." Oshie was the lone scorer in the 9-2 loss on Saturday. Both tallies coming on the power play.

>>>"Getting to the playoffs is great for this club and the city of Thunder Bay," said Thunder Bay-native, Patrick Sharp. "We have the greatest, most supportive fans in the league. They've supported us since the beginning. Watched some pretty bad hockey and still showed up. For this season and beyond, they will be rewarded with the hardest working brand of hockey out there."

>>>IN OTHER NEWS...

>>>With the NCAA hockey playoffs in full swing, the Timberwolves still have several prospects competing. But for others, it's either back to the classroom fulltime or the beginning of their professional career.

>>>The Timberwolves announced on Sunday that the following prospects have been assigned to their minor-league affiliate in Duluth, Minnesota:

>>>

>>>Forward, Ryan Thang (Notre Dame)

>>>Forward, Mike Carman (Minnesota)

>>>Forward, Jay Barriball (Minnesota)

>>>

>>>Barriball missed most of his senior season at Minnesota with a torn ACL. He is still recovering and will likely continue his rehab at the Timberwolves training facility in Thunder Bay.

>>>The following prospects remain in the NCAA playoffs:

>>>

>>>Cornell: Colin Greening

>>>Denver: Rhett Rakhshani & Patrick Weircioch

>>>Michigan: Chris Summers

>>>North Dakota: Ben Blood, Brett Hextall, Danny Kristo & David Toews

>>>St. Cloud State: Dan Dunn & Mike Lee

>>>Wisconsin: Derek Stepan

>>>

>>>In other NCAA News, Danny Kristo (North Dakota) was named the WCHA Rookie of the Year and Louis Leblanc (Harvard) was a runner-up as the ECAC Rookie of the Year.